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Team Leader Environmental Planning

Hume City Council • Australia • Added on Jul 30, 2026
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As the leader of the Environmental Planning team, you will bridge the gap between rapid urban growth and ecological preservation within the Hume municipality. You will oversee a dedicated group of specialists, guiding the development of strategic policy documents and ensuring that environmental protection is deeply integrated into council planning schemes. This role is about moving beyond case-by-case assessments to create a comprehensive framework for local government sustainability.

The work is vital because Hume City is one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions, making the pressure on local biodiversity and natural resources immense. By leading this team, you directly influence how a major urban-fringe community balances infrastructure needs with the urgent requirement to preserve indigenous flora and fauna. You are essentially the steward of the city’s green future within a high-stakes development environment.

This suits someone who possesses deep expertise in Victorian planning legislation and ecological science, combined with the leadership maturity to mentor staff and navigate complex political landscapes. You should be comfortable advocating for environmental values in the face of significant population and industrial expansion.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission involves providing strategic leadership to the Environmental Planning team, ensuring that biodiversity and ecological considerations are embedded into all council development activities. You will lead the preparation of high-level reports for the Executive Management Team and Council, translating complex environmental data into actionable policy recommendations. Day-to-day, you will oversee the technical input for major infrastructure projects, ensuring that capital works programs adhere to preservation standards. You are responsible for monitoring team budgets and departmental performance, ensuring that the environmental planning function remains efficient, compliant, and proactive in its response to urban growth. Furthermore, you will collaborate closely with Strategic Planning and other departments to influence scheme amendments. This involves a mix of policy development, research into emerging environmental trends, and managing programs related to vegetation offset management and natural resource protection.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this role, you will gain significant exposure to the complexities of local government governance and the legal frameworks governing land use in Victoria. Managing the intersection of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 with local growth mandates provides a unique masterclass in regulatory navigation and strategic negotiation within a political environment. You will also have the chance to deepen your knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a tool for environmental decision-making. Since Hume City contains both urban fringe and environmentally sensitive areas, the variety of ecological challenges—from biodiversity offsets to water catchment management—will broaden your technical specialized expertise significantly. Leadership development is a cornerstone of this position. There are formal and informal opportunities to refine your management style, budget administration skills, and your ability to mentor a team of specialists, preparing you for higher-level director or coordinator roles in public administration.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate holds a tertiary degree in a field such as Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or Environmental Planning. You should bring several years of specialist experience, particularly in environments facing high urban growth or sensitive ecological boundaries where competing interests must be carefully managed. Technically, you must be proficient in interpreting Victorian planning provisions and legislation. A strong understanding of biodiversity offset programs and ecological science—such as botany or catchment management—is crucial for making informed recommendations on capital works and strategic scheme amendments. Soft skills are equally vital. We look for a collaborative leader who can build relationships across different council departments and communicate environmental priorities effectively to diverse stakeholders. A current driver’s licence is required, as site visits and local engagement are part of the role.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond listing your technical qualifications and demonstrate your strategic mindset. In your application, provide examples of how you have balanced environmental protection with development pressures in past roles, as this is the central tension you will manage at Hume. Research the specific environmental challenges facing Northern Melbourne, such as the protection of native grasslands or managing the impact of Melbourne Airport’s growth. Showing local context awareness in your cover letter will prove you aren't just a generalist, but a professional specifically interested in Hume’s unique ecosystem. Be prepared to discuss your leadership philosophy during the interview. Hume values an inclusive and collaborative work culture, so highlighting your experience in mentoring staff or leading teams through organizational change will align well with their 'All for Hume' values.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role focuses heavily on ecological sustainability and biodiversity conservation within an urbanizing context. You will likely focus on ensuring that growth does not come at the expense of the municipality's natural features, which include sensitive waterways and indigenous flora habitats. A significant portion of your focus will be on land-use governance. This includes managing vegetation offsets and ensuring that new developments participate in sustainable planning practices that meet or exceed state-mandated environmental standards. Additionally, the role intersects with climate resilience in urban design. By influencing infrastructure projects and planning schemes, you help the council mitigate the heat-island effect and manage natural resources more effectively as the community expands toward the northern fringe.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the most significant challenges is the high pace of development. Balancing the rapid demand for housing and infrastructure in one of Victoria’s fastest-growing areas with the slow, careful process of ecological preservation requires high resilience and expert negotiation skills. You may face conflicting stakeholder interests, where the priorities of developers, state planning authorities, and local community groups do not always align with environmental best practices. Navigating these tensions while maintaining a firm stance on ecological integrity will be a recurring theme. Budgetary and regulatory constraints can also be challenging. Operating within a local government framework means adhering to strict legislative guidelines and financial cycles, which might limit the speed at which new sustainability initiatives can be implemented.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a team briefing to review current planning permit applications or to discuss technical input needed for a new council parkland or infrastructure project. You might spend the morning reviewing GIS mapping data to assess the environmental impact of a proposed development. Midday could involve meetings with the Strategic Planning Department to advocate for stronger environmental protections in a upcoming planning scheme amendment. You might also provide guidance to a team member wrestling with a complex biodiversity offset calculation or a difficult stakeholder interaction. Your afternoon could be dedicated to writing or reviewing policy reports for the Council or the Executive Management Team. You might end the day responding to community enquiries or drafting a strategy document that outlines the long-term protection goals for a specific natural corridor within the city.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

There is a clear path toward senior coordinator or managerial roles within Planning and Development. As you prove your ability to lead a specialist team and influence council-wide policy, you become a candidate for roles overseeings broader environmental or strategic planning departments. Hume City Council emphasizes professional development, providing opportunities to lead high-visibility projects that impact a population of over 250,000. These projects serve as vital portfolio pieces for anyone looking to build a career in executive local government leadership. There is also the potential for cross-functional growth. Skills gained in stakeholder management and policy development are highly transferable to corporate ESG roles or state-level environmental agencies, given the high-density and high-growth nature of the Hume municipality.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Internal stakeholders include Strategic Planning and Engineering teams, with whom you will collaborate on capital works and land-use strategies. You will also report frequently to the Coordinator of Environmental Planning & Compliance and have direct visibility with the Executive Management Team (EMT). External interactions will involve state planning bodies such as the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) and various environmental regulators. These stakeholders are critical for ensuring Hume's growth aligns with broader state-wide environmental and urban objectives. You will also engage with developers, consultants, and the local community. Whether it is responding to resident concerns about local biodiversity or negotiating with developers on offset requirements, these interactions require a balance of technical expertise and diplomacy.

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